EIGHTEEN nuisance youths have been warned to behave or face serious consequences.

Ellesmere Port police have written to their families, saying their child is being closely watched after being seen becoming involved in 'serious anti-social behaviour' in Overpool.

The letter also warns that police, the Youth Offending Team and the Probation Service will get Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) imposed on the youths unless they stop behaving in a 'loutish and yobbish' manner.

PC Rob Dalton said: 'These letters are the first stage in an anti-social behaviour strategy we have in place which firstly warns the culprit about their behaviour.

'If it doesn't stop, we and partner agencies will take further action, which can include an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) or, in more serious cases, an ASBO.

'An ABC involves a child and their guardian signing to say they agree to use acceptable behaviour. If the contract is broken, then we will apply for an ASBO.

'ASBOs are made by the courts and can include very strict conditions severely affecting a person's freedom. Ignoring the conditions of an ASBO can lead to a jail term.'

The nuisance youth strategy is managed by a group made up of police and partners known as an Anti-Social Behaviour Task Group.

They meet regularly and discuss the behaviour of people who have come to their attention.

PC Dalton said: 'This is just one technique we are using to address the problem of nuisance youth issues.

'As a police Community Action Team, we are regularly conducting high-visibility patrols in areas such as Overpool Road.

'We'll continue these efforts on a regular basis to ensure the small number of youngsters causing problems get the message that this behaviour is not acceptable.'

Pioneered in Ellesmere Port, the nuisance youth strategy is now also used in Chester and Vale Royal.

Michelle Brown, the borough's dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinator, said: 'An ASBO is a last resort and we go to great lengths to provide young people with support and guidance before things get to that stage.

'However, in serious cases of persistent anti-social behaviour such as the current problems at Overpool, ASBOs will be considered at a much earlier stage.

'We have had many success stories in this respect and lots of young people who receive warning letters or who are signed up to the ABC process get their lives back on track.

'Hopefully, the letters we have recently sent out will achieve a similar result.'